Solon council to hold May 7 hearing for proposed auto service zone

Some of the area along Old South Miles and Aurora roads that could be proposed for rezoning on a future ballot in Solon. Thomas Jewell, special to cleveland.com

SOLON, Ohio -- During Monday's (May 7) regular meeting, Solon City Council will hold a public hearing on a request to add an auto service zoning district to a small section of the town's industrial sector.

The request from Darren Guerrini of Reno G. Properties would still have to appear on the ballot if council ultimately decides to forward it to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

A similar effort imploded nearly two years ago when another backer of the proposal, Liberty Ford Vice President Michael Herrick announced plans to leave town after the city and its voters previously granted other zoning changes for his dealership.

Liberty recently opened up its new dealership on old Geauga Lake property in Aurora.

Guerrini told the City Planning Commission in February that one of the tenants on the 4.75 acres he owns off Aurora and Old South Miles roads was still doing detailing work for Liberty in Maple Heights and, at the time, Solon.

Liberty was also using some of the property for storage of 300-500 bedliners for Liberty, along with several lifts, all free of charge.

City Planning Director Rob Frankland told the commission last month that Guerrini's request would simply be tacked on to other adjacent "I-2" industrial property on Old Miles that is already identified in the city's Master Plan for the new "I-3" zoning designation.

Officials with the Swagelok Company initially expressed some reservations about Guerrini's earlier request in 2016.

But Solon Planning Commissioner Roger Newberry noted April 10 that their attorney said there was no objection, as long as the use of their property -- about 5 acres across Old South Miles -- is not infringed upon.

Frankland noted that all of the existing industrial manufacturing uses would remain intact whether the zoning change passes or not.

And if it passes, "it only expands the uses," Assistant City Law Director Lon Stolarsky said, referring to auto repairs and maintenance, as well as towing or vehicle impound operations.

The latter uses would require an extensive amount of screening, Frankland added, noting that operations like "junk yards and auto salvage" would still being prohibited.

Frankland also noted that automotive maintenance and repair is only permitted as an onsite accessory use at dealerships, one of the reasons for the inclusion of the new "I-3" zoning designation in the Master Plan.

As it stands right now, all existing independent mechanics' garages in the city are classified as "non-conforming" uses, something that the new zoning class and district would address.